Martin's Lumber Wood Walk Andy LeBlanc

Martin’s Lumber in Thurman hosts its 2nd annual Woods Walk: Understanding Sustainability, on June 1. What at first was conceived as a small open house to give the public a chance to see a saw mill in action and learn about the concept of sustainability in forestry, had blossomed into a celebration of all things wood-related. This year Gary and Wini Martin, who run the operation with Wini’s brother Bill Good, will be joined by one dozen others—wood workers, artisans, naturalists, and others in the wood processing business. The lineup includes Bill LaPrairie, who joins Gary on walks into the woodlot, and points out medicinal plants they encounter as Martin explains the concept of selective cutting of trees. Johnsburg’s Pinky O’Dell demonstrates the firewood processors he builds, while Bruce Updike operates an Alaskan milling attachment for a chainsaw. John Los demonstrates wooden spoon carving and also offers cutting boards and Windsor chairs, while Bob Brooks of Adirondack Attitudes shows and sells Adirondack rustic home accessories and Dan Feldt demonstrates making his custom order cedar signs.

Featured at this year’s Woods Walk is heritage craftsman Andy LeBlanc of Indian Lake, whose business, Barn Works, rescues and restores old barns. At the June 1 event he will begin construction of a timber frame garden shed to be used as a fundraiser for Thurman Station Association in a July 27 drawing.